Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
,' ,~ CA 02330258 2000-12-04
REFILL HEAD
Technical Field
The present invention is directed to an apparatus which can dilute and
dispense a concentrated chemical such as a cleaner or disinfectant, and is
concerned
more particularly with a refill head for such an apparatus.
to Background Art
The prior art is replete with a plurality of devices for diluting and
dispensing
concentrated chemicals for consumer, commercial, and industrial applications.
These devices have in common the purpose of using the economies of
distributing
chemicals in concentrated form and then diluting and dispensing the chemicals
at
is the customer's location. The chemicals can be distributed in bottles of
various
shapes and sizes. In some situations, the chemicals are distributed in bottles
which directly mate with the dispensing device. In other instances, the
chemicals
are delivered in bottles and then must be transferred at the application site
to a
bottle which mates with thE: dispensing device. These dispensing devices, by
way
20 of example only, are used for dispensing cleaners, disinfectants, waxes,
fertilizers,
weed killers, and the like.
For such devices, and in particular for industrial and commercial devices
and systems, it is highly economically advantageous to be able to ship and
distribute chemicals in very high concentrations. Such high concentrations,
2s however, can be poisonous, and personnel contacting or using such materials
must exercise care when handling containers of such concentrated materials.
Thus, user safety become, an important issue with respect to such dispensing
devices and systems. Ideally, a dispensing head would attach to a bottle of
concentrated chemical, which bottle is otherwise initially completely enclosed
and
3o sealed. The bottle seals should be opened only when said bottle comes into
communication with the dispensing head. In such a system the concentrated
chemicals could not be spilled from or leak from the bottle. Further, the
dispensing head needs to be designed in such a manner that the concentrated
CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_ chemicals cannot be dispensed by themselves, but only in a solution of
concentrated chemicals and a diluting fluid such as water.
Prior systems include bottles with dispensing ports and venting ports.
However, the operation of these ports is often not coordinated well and there
s remains the possibility that fluids can be dispensed inadvertently from
these ports.
Another safety issue is the proper disposal of a spent bottle. If the bottle
is
to be disposed of either through recycling the raw materials or through a
landfill, it
is important that the dispensing head remove and dispense as much of the
concentrated chemicals as possible leaving little or no concentrated chemicals
in
~o the bottle.
In addition to the above, the prior art lacks any method or system for
accounting for and tracking the amount and type of concentrated chemicals that
are being dispensed in order to monitor the efficient use of the concentrated
c1 ~e~nicals.
i5
Summary Disclosure
Disclosed herein is a docking station and bottle system which includes a
filling
head and a bottle for containing concentrated chemicals in order to safely and
accurately dilute and dispense concentrated chemicals at a desired location.
2o The docking statioin and bottle system may comprise a filling head with a
head
interconnect and a bottle with a bottle interconnect. The bottle interconnect
includes a
fluid port and a vent port, and the head interconnect is configured to mate
with the
bottle interconnect. The head interconnect includes an actutor that can cause
the fluid
port and vent port to open.
The actutor may be movable between a first position and a second position in
z5 order to open the fluid port and the vent port simultaneously.
The bottle may have a fluid port and a vent port and a device which can
selectively cause said fluid port and vent port to open in order to dispense
fluid from
the bottle.
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
The vent port may be located about the fluid port. Further, the vent port
includes a plurality of individual ports which are located about said fluid
port. Each of
said individual ports are located on a radii extending from the fluid port. A
plunger is
provided for movement relative to the fluid port and the vent port in order to
open the
ports simultaneously for venting the bottle through the vent port while
dispensing
concentrated chemicals through the fluid port.
Multiple filling heads are assembled to a manifold and preferably affixed to a
wall in order to provide a multiple filling head docking station which can
dispense two
or more different concentrated chemicals.
A filling head is disclosed which is portable and which can be connected to a
to source of water through a flexible conduit.
The filling head m;ay include a probe and the bottle an indentation which can
receive the probe in order to ensure that the bottle is secured to the filling
head in a
desired orientation so that, for example, the contents of the bottle can be
efficiently
and substantially completely depleted by the filling head without any
significant
I5 residual fluid left in the bottle.
The bottle may be encoded with an identifying indicia and the filling head may
have a device which can read the indicia. The indicia allows for accurate
records to
be kept by an information storage device with respect to the utilization of
concentrated
chemicals.
The system may include a filling head and bottle wherein the filling head has
a
2o head interconnect and the bottle has a bottle interconnect. One of the head
interconnect and the bottle interconnect has a first thread being one of (1 )
reduced in
size or (2) eliminated in a first region. The other of the head interconnect
and the
bottle interconnect has a protrusion which is received in the first region in
order to
position the bottle relative to the filling head. Such an embodiment has a
number of
advantages. The first advantage is that the bottle can be accurately
positioned and
registered with respect to the filling head so that all the other interconnect
mechanisms
which affords the dispensing of fluid from the bottle through the filling head
are
properly aligned. Further, such a system ensures that the bottle can be molded
in an
inexpensive and efficient manner.
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
Summar~r of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a refill head
for
refilling a bottle, including a fluid inlet port, an air outlet port and a
body. The body has
a first plenum and a second plenum and the fluid inlet port communicates with
the first
s plenum and the air outlet port communicates with he second plenum. The body
has an
external peripheral wall and a first port is provided through the wall in
communication
with the first plenum. A second port through the wall communicates with the
second
plenum.
According to another' aspect of the invention the refill head includes a fluid
inlet
port, an air outlet port and a body with a peripheral wall. A first port is
provided
to through the peripheral wall and communicates with the fluid inlet port and
a second
port communicates with the .air outlet port.
Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention can be obtained from a
view of the specification, they figures and the claims.
is brief Description of the Drawinos
Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a filling head secured to a bottle.
Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view focusing on the filling head.
Fig. 3a is a side view partially cross-sectioned of a bottle interconnect
mechanism with the valvinc,~ mechanism removed to show the vent and fluid
ports
more clearly.
zo Fig. 3b is an enlarged view of the bottle interconnecting mechanism shown
in
Fig 3a.
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~ CA 02330258 2000-12-04
Fig. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the interconnecting mechanism of the
bottle including the valve mechanism for opening and closing the fluid and
vent
ports of the bottle, with the valve mechanism in a closed position.
Fig. 4b is similar to Fig. 4a with the valve mechanism for opening and
s closing the fluid and vent ports depicted in an open position.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bottle without
a bottle interconnectingmechanism ~ in order to show a bottle and filling head
alignment mechanism.
Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a
filling
io head engaging the bottle .of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a docking station including a plurality of
filling
heads connected to a manifold, and an information storage device.
Fig. 8 is a top view of an embodiment of the bottle.
Fig. 9a is a partial view which has been sectioned through line 9a-9a of Fig.
is 8.
Fig. 9b is a partial wiew which has been sectioned through line 9b-9b of Fig.
8.
Fig. 10 is a sectioned view through line 10-10 of Fig. 2 depicting a portion
of the filling head interconnect which mates with the bottle interconnect of
Fig. 8.
2o Fig. 11 is a partial view of the bottle interconnect of Fig. 8 mating with
the
head interconnect of Fig. '10.
Fig. 12 is a partial view which has been sectioned through line 12-12 of Fig.
11.
Fig. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the filling head interconnect
2s depicted in Fig. 10.
Fig. 14 is a concentrate dispensing station.
Figs. 15a, 15b, and 15c depict top, side and bottom views of an
embodiment of a dispensing or refill head which can be used to refill the
bottles as
depicted in Figs. 1 and 7.
3o Fig. 15d is a cross-sectioned view taken through Fig. 15a-15a.
Fig. 15e is a cross-sectioned view taken through Fig. 15b-15b.
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
Fig. 15f is a cross-sectioned view of the refill head shown in Fig. 15d,
positioned above a valve mechanism, similar to the valve mechanism shown in
Fig. 4a.
Fig. 15g .is a cross-sectioned view similar to Fig. 15f but with the refill
head
s pressing the valve plunger of the valve mechanism into an open position.
Fig. 16 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a valve
mechanism of the bottle interconnect mechanism for opening and closing the
fluid
arid vent ports of the bottle.
Fig. 17a is a cross-sectioned view of the valve mechanism of Fig. 16 with
~o the valve mechanism in a closed position and shown with a plunger from a
filling
head.
Fig. 17b is a view similar to Fig. 17a with the valve mechanism in the open
position.
Fig. 17c is a view similar to Fig. 17a with the valve mechanism in the refill
is position, and with a refill head plunger.
Best Made For Carrying Out the Invention
With reference to the figures, and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, an
embodiment of the filling head 20 and bottle 22 of the docking station and
bottle
2o system 23 of the invention is depicted. The filling head 20 of Figs. 1 and
2 is
meant to be portable and connected to a source of water through a flexible
conduit such as a hose. Accordingly, the embodiment of filling head 22
includes a
hose connector 24 with a, filter screen 26. Hose connector 24 is mounted to
the
handle 28 of the filling head 20. Handle 28 includes a housing 30 which
encases
2s a swivel fitting 32 which connects the hose connector 24 to a valve housing
34
which houses a ball valve; 36. A valve pinion 38 is used to cause the ball
valve 36
to open and close. The filling head 20 includes a trigger 40 which is
pivotally
mounted to the housing 30. Trigger 40 includes a rack 42 which operatively
engages the valve pinion 38. Accordingly, as the trigger is depressed, the
rack 42
so causes the valve pinion 38 and the ball valve 36 to rotate about its axis
opening
the valve to allow a source of fluid, preferably water, enter fluid supply
tube 44.
From fluid supply tube 44 the water is directed by a nozzle head 46 through an
air
gap 48 to an eductor 50 .and is dispensed through filling nozzle 52. As the
source
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CA 02330258 2001-09-24
of diluting fluids such as water must go through eductor 50 prior to the
eductor
generating sufficient vacuum to~ draw a concentrated chemical from the bottle
22,
the filling head 20 will not dispense concentrated chemicals which can be
potentially poisonous or caustic without first diluting them with an
appropriate ratio
s of water.
An eductor suitable for use as eductor 50 is disclosed in U.S. Patent
No. 6,129,125. Other types of eductors can also be used with the system
disclosed herein.
~o
The filling head 20 further includes a trigger lock mechanism 54 which can
lock the trigger with the ball valve 36 in the open position by causing leg 56
of the
trigger lock mechanism 54 to engage and hold down pin 58 of the trigger 40.
is Button 82 operates the trigger lock mechanism 54.
Simultaneously with the opening of ball valve 36, the trigger mechanism
causes the fluid and vent ports of the bottle 22 to be opened so that
concentrated
chemicals in the bottle can be drawn up by the eductor 50 and mixed with the
diluting fluid in eductor 50 in a manner as described below.
2o Trigger 40 is pivotally connected to a small link 60 which is pivotally
connected to a bell crank 62. Bell crank 62 is pinned about pivot point 64.
Pivotally connected to bell crank 62 is a actuator or plunger 66. Plunger 66
is
substantially circular in shape and includes an elastomeric O-ring 68 retained
in a
peripheral groove 70. Plunger 66 includes a recessed cavity 72 which is
2s cylindrical in shape and centrally located within said plunger 68. The
recessed
cavity 72 communicates with an elbow connector 74. Connected to the elbow
connector 74 is a flexible conduit 76. Flexible conduit 76 is additionally
secured to
inlet port 78 of eductor 50 in order to provide concentrated chemicals to
eductor
50.
3o Within the filling head 20 is an internal user hand engagement space 80. In
this engagement space 80, the button 82 is located which operates the trigger
lock mechanism 54. Also within this hand engagement space 80 is a quarter turn
locking handle 84. This locking handle 84 is operatively secured to a filling
head
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_ interconnect mechanism 86, which mechanism is disposed about and also
comprises the plunger or actuator 66. The interconnect mechanism 86 includes a
quarter turn thread 88 which engages the bottle 22 as will be described
hereinbelow.
s An embodiment of the bottle 22 of the invention can be seen in greater
detail collectively in Figs. ',3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b. Fig. 3b shows an
enlargement of the
bottle interconnect mech<~nism 90 without a valve mechanism 92 which will be
more fully described with respect to Figs. 4a and 4b. The bottle interconnect
mechanism 90 includes an upstanding collar 94 which has defined thereon a
~o quarter turn thread 96 which is compatible and mates with the quarter turn
thread
88 of the fill head interconnect mechanism 86 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. A
valve
housing insert 98 is receiived inside of upstanding collar 94. The valve
housing
insert 98 includes a peripheral collar 100 which can snap into the upstanding
collar 94 through the use of a detent arrangement 102. The valve housing
insert
is 98 includes a vent port 104 and a fluid port 106. As can be seen in Fig.
3b, the
vent port 104 includes aplurality of individual vent ports 108 which are L-
shaped
in cross-section and which radiate outwardly from a central axis 110. In a
preferred embodiment, the individual vent ports 108 are located equally spaced
about the first cylindrical cavity 112 of the valve housing insert 98. The
individual
2o vent ports 108, being L-shaped, are defined both on the peripheral wall 114
of the
first cylindrical cavity 10~'. and also in the base 116 of the first
cylindrical cavity
112.
Located immediately below the first cylindrical cavity is a second cylindrical
cavity 118 which is concentric about the axis 110. This second cylindrical
cavity
2s 118 defines in its base 120 the fluid port 106. It can be seen from Fig. 3b
that fluid
port 106 has a curved wall that is designed to accept a ball valve as more
fully
described below.
Turning to Figs. 4a and 4b, the valve mechanism 92 of the bottle is
presented. In Fig. 4a the valve mechanism 92 is positioned in a first position
to
3o close off the vent port 104 and the fluid port 106. In Fig. 4b the valve
mechanism
92 has been depressed in order to open up the vent port 104 and the fluid port
106. In actual operation, the movement of the valve mechanism 92 is
_g_
CA 02330258 2000-12-04
accomplished by the movement of the plunger 66 of the filling head 22 from a
first
to a second position as the trigger 40 of the filling head 20 is depressed.
The valve mechanism 92 includes a valve plunger 124 which is
substantially cylindrical in shape and is received in the first cylindrical
cavity 112 of
s the valve housing insert 98.. The valve plunger 124 includes a peripheral
groove
126 which receives an O-ring 128. O-ring 128 rubs against and creates a seal
with peripheral wall 114 in order to selectively seal off or open the vent
port 104.
Valve plunger 124 has a first cylindrical cavity 130 and a second cylindrical
cavity
132. At the base 134 of the first cylindrical cavity 130, a metering orifice
136 is
lo positioned. This metering orifice can be omitted or changed in order to
adjust the
dilution ratio of the filling head 20 and bottle 22 and still be within the
spirit and
scope of the invention. At the base 138 of a second cylindrical cavity 132 a
plurality of passages 140 acre provided for allowing the concentrated
chemicals to
pass. Secured to the base 138 is a ball 142 which can selectively seat against
the
is fluid port 106 in order to open or close the fluid port 106. A valve spring
144 is
contained within the second cylindrical cavity 118 of the valve housing insert
98
and is biased between the base 120 of the second cylindrical cavity 118 and
the
base 138 of the second cylindrical cavity 132 of the valve plunger 124. An
insert
collar 146 extends from the: base 120 of the second cylindrical cavity 118 of
the
2o valve housing insert 98. Fitted into collar 146 is a concentrated chemical
pick-up
tube 148 which at its distal end 150 includes a metering orifice 152 (Fig. 1).
In a
preferred embodiment, them distal end 150 and the metering orifice 152 are
disposed on the base 154 of the bottle 22 adjacent to the front wall 156 of
the
bottle 22. As the bottle is meant to tilt at about a 5 angle forwardly
relative to the
2s filling head 22, whether the filling head 22 is permanently mounted to a
wall or
handheld, the position of the metering orifice 152 adjacent the front wall 156
allows the filling head 22 to remove substantially all of the concentrated
chemicals
in the bottle, while leaving only a very small residual amount.
In an alternative embodiment, the spring 144 which biases the ball 142 to a
3o closed position can be placed elsewhere, as for example, in the filling
head 20 in
order to perform a like function. Further, in an alternative embodiment, the
metering orifice 150 can be removed.
_g_
CA 02330258 2000-12-04 ,
Figs. 16, 17a, 17b and 17c depict a preferred embodiment 700 of the valve
mechanism 92 (Figs. 4a and 4b) of the bottle interconnect mechanism 90 (Fig.
3b). The mechanism 700 has been designed for enhanced manufacturability and
retains all the novel features previously. described. The preferred valve
s mechanism 700 includes a valve housing insert or valve plug 702, a valve
plunger
or concentrate valve 704, a valve sleeve 706, a valve retainer 708 and a
spring
710. Also shown in Figs. 17a and 17b, valve mechanism 700 mates with a
plunger 712 which forms ',part of a filling head, such as filling head 20 in
Fig. 1.
Inserted in plunger 712 is a metering orifice 714. The metering orifice 714
can be
~o removed or changed for another size orifice in order to vary the flow rate
of
concentrate to the plunger 712. In this embodiment, located between plunger
712
and metering orifice 714, is a duckbill check valve 715 which prevents the
leakage
of fluid from the plunger 712 when the filling head 20 is removed from bottle
22.
Further check valve 715 prevents any back flow of fluid from filling head 20
into
is bottle 22.
The valve plug or valve housing insert 702 as seen in Figs. 16, 17a and
17b, includes a peripheral collar 716 which can snap into the upstanding
collar 94
(Fig. 3b) of a bottle, such as bottle 22, through the use of a detent
arrangement
718 which includes a female locking ring 720 which can mate with a male
locking
2o ring (not shown) of the bottle 22 to provide the primary bottle seal. The
peripheral
collar 716 also includes a barb sealing bead 722 which is located above the
female locking ring 720. 1'he barb sealing bead 722 provides a force fit
between
the valve plug 702 and the bottle 22 and acts as a secondary seal to retain
the
liquid in bottle 22. The valve plug 702 further includes a hinged valve
retainer ring
2s 724 which is flexible and allows the valve retainer 708 to be forced fit
into the
valve plug 702. Ring 724 also permits valve plug 702 to be molded without an
internal mold parting line for better sealing because ring 724 can flex to
permit the
mold insert forming the interior to be removed.
As with the embodiment of Figs. 4a and 4b, the valve plug 702 includes a
3o vent or refill port 726. VE~nt port 726 allows make up air to be received
in the
bottle 22 in order to displace concentrate that is drawn from the bottle and
also
permits bottle 22 to be refilled with liquid. As can be seen in Figs. 16, 17a,
17b,
and 17c, vent port 726 includes a plurality of individual vent ports 730 which
are
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_ rectangular in shape in this embodiment, and which aye located on radii
which
project outwardly from a central axis 732. In a preferred embodiment, the
individual vent ports 730 are located equally spaced about a first cylindrical
cavity
734 (Fig. 17a) of the valves plug 702.
s Immediately below the first cylindrical cavity 734 is a second cylindrical
cavity 736. This cavity receives the lower end of the spring 710 and holds it
in
position. A drain or vent port 728 is provided through the wall of the second
cylindrical cavity 736. Grain port 728 drains. any fluid retained in the
second
cylindrical cavity 736 back into the bottle and can also serve as an air vent.
io In an alternative ernbodiment where the bottle 22 is only intended for one
time use, individual vent ports 730 of vent port 726 can be eliminated and
drain
port 728 can serve to allow make up air to be received within bottle 22. A
check
valve such as a ball check valve 729 can be engaged with drain port 728 to
minimize escape of liquid from bottle 22 in case bottle 22 is squeezed while
the
is plunger of concentrate valve 704 is deliberately held open when it is not
connected to filling heacl 20. Although check valve 729 is shown in the
embodiment of Fig. 17b, check valve 729 can be eliminated from this embodiment
(as shown in Fig. 17a) and be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Inwardly and downvvardly from the second cylindrical cavity 736 is a third
2o cylindrical cavity 738 which receives the valve sleeve 706 in order to
properly
position the plunger or valve 704 relative to the valve plug 702. Valve sleeve
706
is preferably press fit into position. Extending downwardly and communicating
with the third cylindrical cavity 738 is a nipple 740 to which a draw tube can
be
received in order to draw fluid out from the bottle 22.
2s The plunger or concentrate valve 704 includes a squat cylindrical body 742
with a hollow cylindrical column 744 extending downwardly therefrom along a
central axis 732. At the distal end of the cylindrical column 744 and defined
through the exterior cylindrical surface 748 is a fluid port 750 which
includes
individual fluid ports 752 and 754. Concentrated fluid can be drawn through
the
3o individual fluid ports 752, '754 up through the internal conduit 746
through the
metering orifice 714 and through the plunger 712 in order to be dispensed by
filling head 20 of Fig. 1. As can be seen in Fig. 16, positioned below and
above
the fluid ports 750 are sealing beads 756. These sealing beads 756 rub against
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04 ~ '
_the internal cylindrical surface 758 of the cylindrical bore 760 of valve
sleeve 706
(Fig. 16). These sealing beads 756 cause fluid port 750 to be sealed relative
to
the internal cylindrical surface 758 so that fluid cannot be drawn through the
valve
mechanism 700 with the valve in the closed position as shown in Fig. 17a. The
'
s sealing bead 756 below fluid ports 750 is slightly larger in diameter than
the other
two sealing beads 756 to provide better sealing. More than three sealing beads
756 could be present for better sealing although more beads 756 tend to create
more resistance to opening the plunger. Fewer than three or no sealing beads
756 can also be used and still obtain good sealing. With the valve mechanism
~0 700 in the open position chown in Fig. 17b, and with the concentrate valve
704
urged against the spring 710, the fluid port 750 extends below the distal end
of the
valve sleeve 706 so that vacuum can be delivered through the plunger 712 and
the valve mechanism 700, to the fluid inside the bottle in order to draw
concentrated fluid through the fluid port 750. Further, as can be seen in Fig.
17b
is with the valve mechanism 700 in the open position, with the concentrate
valve 704
positioned downwardly, the vent port 726 is opened, allowing air to enter the
bottle
and replace fluid that is drawn out of the bottle. In the open position of
Fig. 17b,
sufficient air can pass between the valve 704 and the wall of the first
cylindrical
cavity 734, which are slightly spaced apart, and through vent port 726 to vent
the
2o bottle 22. The above is due to the fact that sealing of the vent port 726
primarily
occurs as shown in Fig. 17a when the top sealing ring 766 of the valve 704 is
received in the annular recess 768 of the valve retainer 708, where contact by
sealing ring 766 with the angled sides of recess 768 provides a primary seal
and
contact with the bottom of recess 768 provides a secondary seal.
2s As shown in Fig. 17c, the valve mechanism 700 has a refill position
whereby the valve 704 is. urged further downwardly and at least partially past
the
vent port 726. With the valve 704 so positioned, and with a refill head 600
such
as shown in Figs. 15a-1;ig positioned on the valve 704, the bottle can be
rapidly '
refilled with concentrated fluid. It is noted that the refill head depicted in
Fig. 17c .
3o serves the same function as that depicted in Figs. 15a-15g, but is slightly
elongated in Fig. 17c.
The concentrate valve 704 further includes an annular sealing bead 762
which is upstanding from the cylindrical body 742. The sealing bead 762 is
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
-received in a annular recess 764 defined in the metering orifice 714. With a
plunger 712 received on the concentrate valve 704 as shown in Figs. 17a, 17b,
and 17c, the sealing bead 762 being received in the annular recess 764 ensures
that there is no leakage between the valve mechanism 700 and the filling head
20
s (from Fig. 1 ). The concentrate valve 704 further includes a top sealing
ring 766
that is received in annular recess 768 of the valve retainer 708 in order to
create a
seal between the valve 704 and the valve retainer 708 with the valve 704 in a
closed position as shown in Fig. 17a. The valve 704 further includes a spring
guide 770 which retains the: top portion of the spring 710.
~o The valve sleeve 7C16 as described above provides for sealing of the fluid
port 750 with the valve 704 in the closed position as shown in Fig. 17a. The
valve
sleeve 706 includes a body 722 and a sleeve 774 extending downward therefrom.
The cylindrical bore 760 is defined inside of the sleeve 774. The sleeve 774
is
sized to allow for some expansion as the valve 704 is inserted therethrough.
The
~s valve sleeve 706 on the external surface of the body 722 includes dual
sealing
beads 776 (similar to detest arrangement 718 where the lower sealing bead 776
is the primary seal and the; upper sealing bead is the secondary sea!) to
ensure
that there is proper sealing befirveen the valve sleeve 706 and the valve plug
702,
when the sleeve 706 is press fit into plug 702.
2o The valve retainer 708 has a sealing bead arrangement 778 on the exterior
cylindrical surface 780. When valve retainer 708 is press fit into valve plug
702,
the sealing bead arrangement 788 holds the retainer 708 in plug 702.
In the preferred embodiment, the spring 710 is specified as a thirteen
pound (57.8 Newton) spring (in full compression) although the exact spring
force
2s will depend upon the openiing and closing pressure desired for the trigger
40. The
valve plug 702 in a preferred embodiment is made of low density polypropylene
for ease of insertion into bottle 22, while the valve 704, the valve sleeve
706, and
the valve retainer 708 are comprised of a polyethylene. The polypropylene is
preferably one purchased from Eastman Plastics under the designation 1810A
3o Tenite. If one desires to make valve plug 702 more difficult to remove from
bottle
22, valve plug 702 can be made of a high density plastic such as high density
polypropylene. For all these plastics, a mold release powder is added to the
plastic resins in order to facilitate the release of the molded part from the
mold.
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_ As can be seen in Fig. 2, the plunger 66 of the filling head 20 engages the
valve plunger 124 of the bottle 22 with the plunger 66 fitting into and
pushing
against the first cylindrical cavity 130 of the valve plunger 124. The
recessed
cavity 72 of the plunger 66 fits over and receives the head of the metering
orifice
136 which is fitted in the valve plunger 124. With the trigger 40 depressed,
the
plunger 66 urges the valves plunger 124 downwardly to a second position
wherein
the valve plunger 124 opens both the vent port 104 and the fluid port 106
simultaneously. If at any time the filling head 20 becomes removed from the
bottle 22, both of these ports 104, 106 instantaneously close as the spring
144
io (Fig. 4a) urges the valve plunger 124 to the first closed position
preventing any
spillage of concentrated chemicals from the bottle 22.
In an alternative embodiment, ball 142 can be replaced with a flat head and
an O-ring in order to close fluid port 106.
The bottle 22 further includes identifying indicia 158 (Fig. 2) which in a
is preferred embodiment can include any one or a combination of optical
encoded
indicia, magnetically encoded indicia, electrically conductive encoded
indicia, or 3-
dimensional encoded indicia, or other identifying indicia as may be used in
the
trade. The filling head 20 includes a reading device 160 which can selectively
read indicia 158. It is to be understood that the indicia 158 can include a
2o programmable storage device or strip 162 such as a magnetic or optical
strip
which can preferably be one time or multiple times writeable. The filling head
20
can further include a writing head 164 which can write to the programmable
strip
162. The reading device: 160 can be associated with an internal information
storage device 166 which can store information gathered from the indicia 158.
2s The filling head 20 can also include an external communication jack 168
which
can be connected as desired to a remote information storage device such as for
example a portable computer 170.
A feature of an alternative embodiment of the bottle 22 is depicted in Figs.
5 and 6. This feature includes an indexing recess 172 located in the top
shoulder
30 174 of the bottle 22. This indexing recess 172 is used to orient the bottle
relative
to the filling head 20 so that the front wall 156 of the bottle is forward,
directly
adjacent the filling nozzle .52. Thus the concentrated chemical pickup tube
148 is
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_positioned advantageously in order to ensure that only a residual amount of
chemicals is left in a spent bottle as described hereinabove.
As can be seen in Fig. 6, the filling head 20 includes a probe 176 which
extends downwardly therefrom. This probe 176 is designed to mate with the
s indexing recess 172 to ensure that the bottle is correctly oriented with
respect to
the filling head 20. With the probe 176 of the filling head 20 received in the
recess
172 of the bottle, the quarter turn locking handle 84 can be turned in order
to
secure the bottle 22 to the filling head 20.
A wall mounting docking station of the invention is shown in Fig. 7 and
io identified by the number 200. Wall mounted docking station 200 can include
one
or more filling heads 20 which are preferably associated with the common
manifold 202 which is communicated with a source of water. It must be
understood that in addition to a wall mounting docking station with one or two
filling heads 20, such a si:ation can include many more filling heads as
desired.
i5 The bottles 22 are secured to the filling heads in the manner as described
with
respect to Figs. 1 and 2. Bottles 22 in Fig. 7 are similar in function to
bottle 22 in
Fig. 1 except that the bottlEa 22 in Fig. 7 have a handle added thereto.
Bottles 22
in Fig. 7 are similar in function to bottle 22 in Fig. 1 except that the
bottles 22 in
Fig. 1 have a handle added thereto. Bottles 22 are removable by turning lever
20 201. In addition, it must be understood that an information storage device
204
can be associated with a wall mounted docking station. Such information
storage
device can include a portable computer or a large main computer for the
facility
which uses the wall mounted docking station 200. As can be seen in Fig. 7, a
housing 206 covers the filling heads 20. Housing 206 can be locked into a
closed
2s position with lock 208. '~fhis arrangement ensures that the filling station
200
cannot be tampered with by unauthorized personnel.
With respect to Figs. 8-12, a preferred embodiment of a bottle interconnect
220 (Fig. 8) and a filling head interconnect 222 (Fig. 10) of the docking
station and
bottle system 23 of the invention are depicted. In Fig. 8 (see also Fig. 5),
the
3o bottle interconnect 220 includes a neck 224 which is upstanding from the
body
226 of the bottle 22. The neck 224 has an exterior cylindrical surface 228.
Projecting from the exterior cylindrical surface 228 is a plurality of threads
230,
232, 234 and 236. Preferably, these threads are approximately quarter-turned
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
threads, with each thread located approximately in a separate quadrant about
the
exterior cylindrical surface 228. Preferably, all these threads start from
positions
above the body 226 of the bottle 22 and spiral downwardly toward the body 226.
In this embodiment, the threads 230, 232, 234 and 236 are discrete threads. In
s addition, threads 230 and 234 are specially designed in order to ensure
proper
mating of the bottle 22 to the filling head 20. In particular and as shown in
Fig. 8,
threads 230 and 234 can be defined as stepped threads. This is because thread
230 include a first reduced thread portion 238, a shoulder 237, and a second
full
thread portion 240 (Figs. 8, 9a, 9b). Similarly, thread 234 includes a first
reduced
~o thread portion 242, a shoulder 243, and a second full thread portion 244.
The
cross sections of thread 230 in Figs. 9a and 9b reveal that in this preferred
embodiment the thread is designed as a buttress thread for added strength. The
buttress thread includes an upper buttress surface 246 (Fig. 9a), which adds
additional support and strength to the thread profile. The buttress thread
further
~s includes a lower power surface 248 which will take the load placed thereon
by the
mating thread of the filling head without having slippage between the threads
of
the bottle interconnect 220 and the head interconnect 222. Comparing Figs. 9a
and 9b, it is evident that the first reduced thread portion 238 has a smaller
thread
depth than that of second full thread portion 240 of Fig. 9a. In the preferred
2o embodiment of this invention, due to the fact that the four threads as
shown in Fig.
8 must support the substantial weight of a bottle with fluid therein, and due
to the
fact that at least two of the threads have a reduced thread portion, the
remainder
of the threads with the reduced thread portion and the other two threads, have
a
thread depth of preferably greater than 0.050 inches (1.27 mm), and in this
2s specific embodiment, greater than 0.080 inches (2.032 mm) and specific
0.0835
inches (2.1209 mm). This additional height of these threads ensures that there
is
enough surface contact between the threads of the bottle and threads of the
head
in order to adequately support the weight of the bottle fully filled with
appropriate
concentrate or fluid. Preferably the height of the reduced portion of the
thread is
3o about 0.045 inches (1.14a mm) . This difference in thread profiles affords
several
advantages.
One advantage is that the molding of the bottle can be accomplished in an
economical and efficient manner. Preferably, the bottle is molded with a mold
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
having two parts which define a mold parting line 250 as seen in Fig. 8. It is
evident that the mold pasting lire in this preferred embodiment projects
through
the reduced thread portions 238 and 242. As the thread portions 238 and 242
are
reduced, they do not interfere with the removal of the molds from about the
s formed bottle 22. Additionally as will be evident in the discussion of Figs.
10, 11
and 12, the head interconnect 222 includes protrusions or bumps 252, 254 which
preferably mate and wedge against the reduced thread portions 238, 242 in
order
to position and securely locate the bottle 22 with respect to the filling head
20.
It is to be understood that in an alternative embodiment, the reduced thread
so portions 238 and 242 can be eliminated, with the embodiment being within
the
spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. In such an arrangement, the
protrusions 252 and 254 of the head interconnect 220 would be enlarged so that
they would approach, and if desired, wedge and mate against the exterior
cylindrical surface 228.
is It is to be understood that in either of these embodiments, there is no
requirement that the protrusions 252 and 254, in a final position with respect
to the
bottle interconnect 220, mate and wedge against the bottle 22 or threads 238,
242. The protrusions 252 and 254 can be spaced from the threads and still fall
within the spirit and scope of the invention. The reason for this is that if
the bottle
2o is not fully aligned with respect to the filling head, then protrusions may
contact
the bottle or threads. However, if the bottle is properly aligned and
depending on
the molding process, the bottle 22 or threads 238, 242 may be spaced apart
from
the protrusions.
Turning to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, it can be seen that the head interconnect
2s 222 includes threads 256, 258, 260 and 262. Threads 256 and 260 include the
above-referenced protrusions 252 and 254. The threads 256 through 262 of the
head interconnect 220 mate with the threads 230 through 236 of the bottle
interconnect 220 as can bE: seen with respect to threads 256 and 230 in Figs.
11
and 12. In Fig. 10 it is evident that the protrusions or bumps 252 are affixed
and
3o extend from the tail end of the thread 256 of the head interconnect 222.
Similarly,
the protrusion 254 extend from the tail end of the thread 260. Turning to Fig.
12, it
can be seen that the protrusion 256 includes an enlarged portion 264 which
extends above the thread base 266 and is wedged against the reduced thread
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_portion 238 in this preferred embodiment. A small ledge or extension 268 of
thread 256 engages the lower surface of the reduced thread portion 238 in this
preferred embodiment in order to give some extra support and engagement
between the threads. auch ledge or extension is not required in other '
s embodiments in order to be: within the spirit and scope of the invention. .
Fig. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the head interconnect 222 and
depicts threads 256, 258, and 262. Also depicted is a protrusion 252. In this
embodiment the protrusion 252 includes three rectangular-shaped blocks 270,
272, and 274. These blocks are positioned above the thread 256 at the trailing
~o edge thereof. The thread 256 is designed to support both the first reduced
thread
portion 238 and the second full thread portion 240 of the thread 230 of the
bottle
interconnect 220 (Fig. 5). The blocks 270, 272, and 274 which are mounted on
at
256 are set back somewhat from the leading edge of thread 256 and are designed
to engage and/or position the first reduced thread portion 238 of bottle
~s interconnect 220. In one aspect, these blocks 270, 272, and 274 can wedge
up
against first reduced thread portion 238 in order to create a locking effect.
Also,
without creating such a locking effect, these blocks 270, 272 and 274 can
position
reduced thread portion 238 so that the bottle interconnect 220 (Fig. 8) is
appropriately centered with respect to the head interconnect 222 (Fig. 13). It
is to
2o be understood that similar blocks can be mounted on opposite thread 260
(which
is shown in Fig. 10 but not iin Fig. 13).
As can be seen in Fig. 14, a central station 302 for refilling bottles 22 is
comprised of a plurality of bulk multi-gallon (multi-liter) containers 308
which store
large amounts of the concE:ntrated chemical fluids. One typical size would be
an
2s 18 gallon (68.1 liter) container. These containers 308 can be delivered by
the
supplier and fitted to a dispensing or refill head 310 which dispenses the
concentrated chemical fluids as needed. Generally the dispensing heads will
not
dilute the concentrated chemical fluids. Also mounted in the central station
302 is
a plurality of delivery bottles 22. The delivery bottles 22 can be of the
design
3o discussed herein with respect to Figs. 1 or 7. However, other designs for
these
bottles would be within the spirit and scope of the invention. In operation,
the
delivery bottles 22 are filled or refilled directly from the dispensing head
310 with
the concentrated chemical 'fluids delivered in bulk container 308.
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
The dispensing or refill head 310 of the central station 302 (Fig. 14) can
include in a preferred embodiment a dispensing or refill head plunger 600
(Figs.
14, 15a, 15b, and 15c). Refill head plunger 600 can be moved in and out of
engagement with the delivery bottles 22 for purposes of filling same. In one
s embodiment, a quarter turn of lever 602, locks the delivery bottle 22 to the
head
310 much the same way that a quarter turn of locking handle 84 (Fig. 1) locks
the
delivery bottle 22 to the filling head 20 ofFig. 1. Alternatively, the plunger
600 can
be stationary with the boti:le 22 urged against the plunger 600 in order to
refill the
bottle using the same procedures as outlined below with respect to Figs. 15f
and
15g.
Figs. 15a, 15b, and 15c depict the top, side, and bottom view of the refill
head plunger 600. As cane be seen in Figs. 15a and 15b, the plunger 600
includes
a concentrate inlet port 604 and an air vent 606. The concentrate inlet port
606
(Figs. 15d and 15e) communicates with an internal plenum 608. The air vent 606
~5 communicates with an internal plenum 610. Below plenums 608, 610 is a
recess
612 defined by a downwardly dependent peripheral wall 614. Recess 612 is
adapted to mate with a valve plunger 124 (Fig. 4a) as will be more fully
described
with respect to Figs. 15f and 15g. The peripheral wall 614 describes a right
circular cylinder with a peripheral external surface 616. Described on the
external
2o surface 616 are a first plurality of semi-cylindrical or scalloped recesses
618 and a
second plurality of semi-cylindrical or scalloped recesses 619 (Fig. 15e).
Recesses 618 communicate through a plurality of port 620 with the internal
plenum 608 and recesses 619 communicate through a plurality of port 621 with
the internal plenum 610. Figs. 15b, 15c, and 15d, the external surface 616
2s includes first and second peripheral indentations 622, 623 which are
located at the
bottom 624 of the external surface 616. First indentation 622 communicates
with
all of the recesses 618 which in turn communicate with the internal plenum
608.
Second peripheral indentation 623 communicates with the recesses 619 which
communicate with the internal plenum 610. Plunger 600 includes a first sealing
3o gasket 626.which is located circumferentially about the external surface
616, and
second and third sealing gaskets 628, 630 which are downwardly dependent from
gasket 626 and which confines the scalloped recess 619 which provides for the
venting of air. - 1 g
CA 02330258 2000-12-04
_ Turning to Figs. 15f and 15g, the refill head plunger 600 is shown mated to
the valve plunger 124 of i:he valve mechanism 92 (Fig. 4a). In Fig. 15f,
recess
612 receives the upper end of the first cylindrical cavity 130 of the valve
plunger
124. The peripheral wall 614 of plunger 600 is received about the plunger 124.
s The peripheral wall 614 is ;additionally received adjacent to the peripheral
wall 114
of the valve mechanism 92. With respect to Fig. 15f, the valve plunger 124 is
still
in its closed position and thus no fluid passes between the filling head 600
and the
bottle 22 (not shown).
in Fig. 15g, the valve plunger 124 is in a depressed and opened position so
to that concentrated fluid can. communicate and be dispensed into the bottle
22 (not
shown), in order to refiA the bottle. This is accomplished by using the
movement
of the refill head plunger 600 to urge the valve plunger 124 into the second
open
position or by causing the plunger 124 to be urged up against a stationary
fill head
plunger 600 and thus positioned into the open position as shown in Fig. 15g.
is Concentrate is dispensed into the bottle along, for example, path 630. Air
is
vented from the bottle along path 640. Examining path 630, concentrate enters
the concentrate inlet port 604 and proceeds to the internal plenum 608. From
there it exits port 620 to scalloped recesses 618 to peripheral indentation
622 to
the vent port 104 of the valve mechanism 92 of the bottle in order to fill the
bottle.
2o As the bottle is filled, air is vented from the bottle through vent port
104 through
the peripheral indentation 623 to the scalloped recesses 619 and the port 621
to
the internal plenum 610 and out the air vent 606. Once the refilling operation
is
complete, the bottle 22 is removed from the refill head 310 and the valve
plunger
124 reverts to the first closed position (shown in Fig. 15f), closing off the
fluid port
2s 106 and the vent port 104 so that no fluid can spill from the bottle 22.
The bottle
can then be transported to a new location, such as for example, a satellite
station.
Industrial Ap~licabilitv
As can be seen from the above, the present invention satisfies the needs of
3o safety, economy and efficiency not met by the prior art. The present
invention
provides a filling head 20 and bottle 22 which can be conveniently mated and
which ensures that concentrated chemicals cannot be inadvertently spilled from
the bottle. Further, the design of the filling head 20 is such that the
concentrated
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CA 02330258 2000-12-04
chemicals cannot be dispensed from the filling head 20 until its chemicals are
mixed with the water to avoid any contact of the concentrated chemicals with
any
personnel. Additionally, should the bottle 22 be inadvertently squeezed during
distribution and handling, no concentrated , chemicals will be urged out of
the
s bottle.
The present system further provides a mechanism for tracking the
utilization of concentrated chemicals in order to determine if the
concentrated
chemicals are being optimally used and applied.
Other features, aspects and objects of the invention can be obtained from a
~o review of the figures and the claims.
It is to be understood that other embodiments of the invention can be
developed and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention and claims.
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